Change to Water Polo Rules

Published Wed 14 Dec 2016

Water Polo Australia has been officially advised by FINA that it will cease the operation of the FINA Test Rules at the conclusion of the Women’s Youth World Championships in Auckland on 19 December 2016.

In view of the decision by FINA, WPA has decided to revert to the official FINA rules as at 1 January 2017 for all age groups except 14u and 12u. These changes will also be adopted by Water Polo Queensland for all competitions. Please note where applicable, WPA competition rules take precedence over FINA rules if there is a conflict of the rules.

The practical application of the change is as follows:

NWPL and Open Competitions – NO CHANGE

20U, 18U and 16U

Will revert to official FINA rules – i.e. 6 field players and 1 goalkeeper in the water with a total team number of 13 for any match. Squads for national aged club championships may be up to a maximum of 15. Boys matches will be played in a 30 metre field with a size 5 ball. There will be a 30 second shot clock and a 20 second exclusion period.

14U and 12U

In the interest of providing continuity to these young players – many of whom have never played 7 v 7 water polo – the current modified rules will be maintained up to and including the completion of the 14U National Aged Club Championships on Monday 17^th April 2017. WPA will work with its national coaches and all states to plan a way forward from that date.

SUMMARY OF RULES FOR 2017 NATIONAL EVENTS

12 & UNDER FESTIVAL BOYS AND GIRLS (BORN 2005, 2006 AND 2007)

Wagga Wagga – 20-22 January 2017

Current modified rules as published in the team entry information – no change.

14 & Under Girls National Aged Club Championships (Born 2003, 2004 and 2005)

Gold Coast – 12-17 April 2017

Current modified rules as used in 2016 Championships – no change.

14 & Under Boys National Aged Club Championships (Born 2003, 2004 and 2005)

Albury/Wodonga – 12-17 April 2017

Current modified rules as used in 2016 Championships – no change.

16 & Under Girls National Aged Club Championships (Born 2001, 2002 and 2003)

Hobart – 27 September – 2 October 2017 (finish one day later than Boys due to AFL Grand Final on 30 September)